Madagascar: Military Coup in Sight, the Army Takes a Stand in Favour of the People

“We, the police, declare that we want the security of the people at all costs,” reads a statement read by the Malagasy Minister of Defense, General Beni Xavier Rasolofonirina Wednesday, May 2. This announcement follows the political situation in the country since April 21st.

In this declaration signed by the chiefs of the army, the police and the gendarmerie, the law enforcement officials ask the protagonists, the opposition and the government, to find as soon as possible a solution to the protests that have lasted for two weeks .

Indeed, since April 21, opposition MPs and their supporters are every day in place of May 13, in the center of the Malagasy capital to express their dissatisfaction with the government and the president whose resignation they demand. And for good reason, she finds the new electoral laws too favorable to the regime in place.

“We, the law enforcement officials, are calling on political party leaders concerned by the current tensions to take full responsibility for finding a solution, as soon as possible. We call on all Malagasy citizens not to be manipulated by politicians anymore.

That’s enough bloodshed and loss of life. Do not make selfishness, greed, love of the power of reasons to sacrifice our compatriots. We will all be judged for our actions by history and future generations. We, the police, declare that they want the security of the people at all costs. This is the priority of the country. ”

This stand of the army for the safety of citizens comes after the opposition demonstration that mobilized several hundred people on Wednesday in the streets of the capital Antananarivo. Such a standpoint suggests a likely and forceful response from the military to end this crisis if the politicians refuse to find a negotiated solution. The next few days will tell.